They generate 50% of GDP and create over 70% of jobs. They co-finance ZUS [the Social Insurance Institution] and they contribute to the “500+” programme. Still, they encounter a number of difficulties - not only the fiscal and legal ones, but also those related to their everyday business activities. Small and Medium-sized Enterprises more frequently command: “Unleash business!”

This multidimensional theme has commenced the registration of participants for the seventh edition of the European Congress of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises in Katowice!

Already for the seventh time, between 18th-20th October, the representatives of science, business and self-government will meet in the capital of Silesia, during the largest event dedicated to businesses of SME sector in Europe. The three-day series of debates, meetings, workshops and accompanying events constitute a fixed scenario of the European Congress of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises, attracting thousands of guest from across Poland, Europe and the near and far corners of the world.

This year’s registration to the event was launched on the 1st of September. The participation in the Congress is free of charge, and all you need to do to provide yourself a place, is to visit the www.ekmsp.eu website and fill in the form, check sessions and workshops which you want to participate in.

This year's challenge: unleash business!

The fixed motto of the event is Science - Business - Self-government TOGETHER FOR THE ECONOMY. The seventh edition of the Congress will be held under the “Unleash business!” theme, which is a multidimensional request of entrepreneurs, expressing their readiness for changes in legislation, entrepreneurial attitudes, for being open to new technologies and expansion abroad.

- Unleashing of business is also a review of the legal situation of business and business environment itself - says Tadeusz Donocik, the President of the Regional Chamber in Katowice, the organizer of the Congress. - It is also a self-assessment of business, performed in order to increase labour productivity, production and broadening of international cooperation in the globalising world. The European Congress of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises is a place for everyone willing to practically promote the development of their own companies and economy as a whole. It is also an opportunity to start a discussion on the Constitution for Business and its consequences to entrepreneurs.

Panel sessions and workshop will include 10 subject areas. Entrepreneurs, scientists and self-government officials will discuss issues including innovativeness in management, law and taxes, labour market and education or financing of SMEs. What is GDPR and how will it influence Polish businesses? How to build a reliable team of employees? Who are the turquoise organizations intended for? These are just a few questions the experts will try to answer during the Congress. The programme will also include issues related to marketing, family businesses, leisure time and automotive.

The Congress will also offer a session of the Silesian Regional Assembly with the participation of the Council of the National Chamber of Commerce, the Convention of Mayors and Commune Administrators of the Silesian Union of Municipalities and Districts as well as a sitting of the All-Polish Agreement of Self-Governmental Organizations, and even more to be offered to this environment. Panel sessions are dedicated to such issues as: entrepreneurship in rural areas, cyber-security of cities, electrification of public transportation and modern technologies supporting the management of cities. Self-governments on the other hand, which particularly support the development of small and medium-sized entrepreneurship, will be presented with the “Self-government which supports SMEs” awards.

SMEs worldwide

The substantial elements of the programme are formed by meetings related to international cooperation. This year, participants and guest will discuss the role of Poland in building of the New Silk Route, and talk about how the European SMEs may benefit from this project. Universities, scientific institutes and technology parks will have the opportunity to discuss the possibility of cooperation with the Unites States, also a meeting with entrepreneurs of the State of Nevada will be held as a part of the business mixer. The Congress will also create an opportunity to set up business relations with companies from Ukraine, Belarus, Germany and Belgium.

Why should you visit the International Conference Centre in Katowice between 18th-20th October?

The European Congress of SMEs offers a large amount of practical knowledge, based on the latest trends in economy, law and marketing on national, European and worldly level. These meetings will cover the changes taking place and being announced by the latest acts and regulations.

The Congress, just like each year, will be accompanied by a number of events, such as the Silesian Forum of Authorities of Professions of Public Trust, the Innovations in Biomedical Engineering conference or the Silesian Day of Constructors, the IX Silesian Forum of Investment, Construction, Real Estate.

If you are planning your participation in the Congress, the three-day Fair of Services and Products for SMEs called BIZNES EXPO is noteworthy already today, as it would offer B2B meetings, presentations, panel discussions, workshops and other attractions gathering entities related to business.

More information on the European Congress of SMEs shall be provided by:Justyna Barańska
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695 471 550 | Łukasz Jurkiewicz
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695 471 000